Wrestling Earns Split at Terrapin Duals

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – In its second dual match of the day at the Terrapin Duals, the West Virginia University wrestling team was defeated by No. 15 Maryland, 24-10.

“We had opportunities to win our match against Maryland,” said coach Craig Turnbull. “I would like to think that not having Shane (Young) in the lineup took away some momentum from us. We took that win against (Shane) Gentry twice last year, so there is reason to believe we could do it again.”

The Terrapins put the Mountaineers behind the eight ball early, as they were able to build a 12-4 lead after four matches.

At 133 pounds, junior Colin Johnston looked to maintain his torrid start to the day, but he was on the losing end of a 7-5 decision. Johnston built an early lead in the match against No. 18 Geoffrey Alexander, but Alexander rallied in the second and third periods to take the win.

Junior Nathan Pennesi was able to regain some momentum for WVU, as he scored early and often in a 10-1 major decision over Maryland’s Danny O’Malley. The win was Pennesi’s second of the day.

“It is early in the season, and we have a lot of stuff that we still need to work on,” said Pennesi. “I felt a little sluggish in my first match of the day, but I was able to rebound in my second match. I had more energy. We can’t harp too much on the team result, because we have a long way to go.”

Following a decision victory by the Terrapins’ Lou Mascola at 149 pounds, sophomore Dominic Prezzia was able to score a victory against Brady Massaro. Prezzia took an early lead against Massaro by way of takedown. The St. Clairsvile, Ohio worked a takedown late in the third period to secure the 5-2 decision.

After earning the first pin of his career in his match against Johns Hopkins, freshman Ross Renzi was able to earn another win against Maryland’s Josh Snook. With the score at 2-1, Renzi nearly earned his second pin of the day after he scored a takedown that left Snook scrambling. Renzi would earn two near fall points that would give him a 6-3 decision victory and close the team score gap to 12-10.

In the 174-pound matchup, freshman Bubba Scheffel nearly upset No. 4 Josh Asper, but was defeated 5-3. Scheffel held an early 2-1 lead against Asper, who competed in the NWCA All-Star Classic on Saturday night. Asper, however, would score a second period takedown, an escape point in the third and a riding time point that would be the deciding factors in the match.

“Bubba knew the challenge that he was going to face coming into this match,” Turnbull said. “Instead of just rolling around on the mat, he came in with an intention to win. You have to appreciate the attitude that he displayed in his first varsity match. It is really encouraging to see that type of effort and performance from Bubba.”

Freshman A.J. Vizcarrondo would follow Scheffel’s near-upset performance with a similar showing of his own. The Philadelphia, Pa., native gave No. 10 Christian Boley a heavy challenge, as he kept the match tied for most of the first and second periods. A late takedown in the third period and a riding time point gave Boley the 9-6 win.

“A.J.’s match was very similar to what Bubba’s match was,” Turnbull said. “He wasn’t competing just to see how the match would – A.J. really wanted to get that win. That match is something that he can carry with him throughout the season.”

To close out the match, the Terrapin’s Dallas Brown was able to score a 4-3 decision win over Phil Mandzik.

The Mountaineers will resume action next Sunday, as they compete in the Wolfpack Open in Raleigh, N.C.